ST. LEGER STAKES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20841, 7 April 1931, Page 11

ST. LEGER STAKES.

RACE A PROCESSION. KARAPOTI ALWAYS IN LEAD. SEASON'S WINNINGS £5007. Only four started in the Great Northern St. Leger Stakes, and Karapoti was installed tho hottest favourito of the meeting. Once the tapes were released Karapoti quickly ran to tho front, and he wns never troubled to win from King March, who ma do an attempt to run up to him in the straight, where Karapoti went away with great ease. Pewa was 12 lengths away third nnd Hampton Park wns last. The victory brought Karapofi's winnings for the season to £5007. Karapoti is nil uncommonly good three-yenr-old, and when he ie seriously trained for long distances he should prove a stayer of tho fir.st class. His next raco will be in the All Aged Slakes at Avondale. It was thought that he would be opposed in this race by the crack two-year-old Bronze Eagle, but unless present intentions are altered Bronzo Eagle will not run. STAR COMET'S STEErLES. FIRST RUN OVER COUNTRY. Having his first run over country. Star Comet gave a fine exhibition to win the Autumn Steeplechase at a good price. The favourites were Skyrider and Airtight, and Skyridor went a good race info third place, but Airtight cut up badly and finished ft long way back. St. Warrigal and Skyrider led over the water-jump, where Skyrider nearly fell. St. "Warrigal then went on to make the running and at the douhlo he just led Skyrider, with Foxhound. Dark Prince nnd Slump handy. Along tho hack the second tirm. St. Warrigal was out four lengths from Skyrider. and he continued to make play until he fell at the first fence on tho hill. Star Comet then assumed command from Foxhound and Skyrider. and ho was never afterwards headed to score by six lengths from Foxhound. Skyrider was '2O lengths away third nnd Slump was fourth, the others being badly beaten. Kamehameha baulked at the last fence.

The winner went, really well for a first attempt oyer country, and may be a better steeplechaser than a hurdler. Foxhound plodded on gamely nt the end, but Sky,rider failed to stay as well as expected. She took a. lot out of herself by pulling and hit tins several fences hard. St. Warrignl was going nicely when he fell, and would probably have been in the money with a stand-up.

HURDLES TO LUC-ESS. fine display of jumping. Cruachnn and Lucess were best supported for the St. Heliers Hurdles, and they filled the dividend-places in reverse order. Quinsilia and Lucess led over the first fence, where Pompeius fell. Lucess then made play past the stands from High Pitch, who hit the third fence hard. Cruachan and Respirator. High Pitch's rider, A. Gilmer, made a. remarkable recovery after hanging round the horse's neck for about 60 yards, and along the back High. Pitch went up info third position just behind Lucess and Cruachan. Lucess jumped away at the hurdle by the five-furlongs post and, although Cruachan was almost level again at the last fence, Lucess went on to win by two lengths. High Pitch was 10 lengths away third and Quinsilia an indifferent fourth. Lucess gave a. delightful display of jumping and now that he is back to form should be a good proposition at the winter meetings. especially in steeplechases. Cruachan went a good race under his big weight, and might have done slightly better if his rider had waited in behind Lucess instead of tryin to go with the latter so far from home. Respirator fell at the second to last fence, when he appeared to be certain to finish third. High Pitch did not jump well and his fencing will need to improve considerably before he is likely to win over hurdles.

SUCCESSFUL JOCKEYS. H. GRAY'S FIVE WINNERS. H. Gray was the most successful jockey at Ellerslie, riding five winners nnd receiving just over £IOO in riding fees. Gray has a commanding lead for the eeason. with 79 wins. F. Foster, who rode two winners, one of which was Hunting Cry in the Enster Handicap, earned £72. Iso other jockey had more than one win. Gray and K. Voitre left by train, last evening to ride at Tauherenikau to-day. when the Wairarapa Racing Club's meeting concludes.